🎉 AgentWP is now in Public Beta Testing.

close
By: Christy Cañete
Published: August 16, 2024

Troubleshooting the Most Common WordPress Errors (30+ Solutions Included)

Frustrated by cryptic error messages on your WordPress site? Don't panic! In this guide, we’ll cover the most common WordPress errors and how to troubleshoot them like a pro.
share

Table of Contents

WordPress is a powerful and user-friendly platform. But like any software, it's not immune to errors. They can pop up unexpectedly which can be really frustrating, especially if you’re not sure how to fix it.

But don’t worry, you don't have to be an expert on every single WordPress error. Many common errors are caused by minor issues and can be tackled fairly easily. With a little understanding of what might be causing the problem and a step-by-step approach, you can get your site back to running smoothly again.

This guide is written to be your go-to resource for troubleshooting the most common WordPress errors. We'll walk you through different error situations, explain what's likely causing them, and offer tips to help you conquer them.

Read on and let's tackle those error messages together!

Before You Begin

Troubleshooting takes time and patience. To ensure you don't accidentally make matters worse, keep these good practices in mind:

  • Back up your WordPress site - this is your safety net! Having a full backup ensures you can revert to a working version if troubleshooting takes an unexpected turn.
  • Consider a staging site. This creates a private copy of your site where you can test fixes without affecting your live visitors. If you don’t have one, you might want to check our review of the best website sandbox services.
  • Carefully document each step you take for easy backtracking if needed.

List of Most Common WordPress Errors

WordPress thrives on a vast ecosystem of themes, plugins, and configurations. This very strength, however, can sometimes lead to complexities. The sheer number of variables at play means the errors you might encounter are virtually limitless. They can arise from plugin conflicts, theme incompatibility, server quirks, database woes, security vulnerabilities, and a whole lot more. 

In this section, we’ve prepared a list of the most common WordPress errors, their causes, and how you can fix them.

1) White Screen of Death (WSOD)

white screen error of death

We've all been there – you visit your WordPress site, expecting to see its usual content, but instead, you're met with a blank white screen. This frustrating issue, known as the White Screen of Death (WSOD), indicates a critical error that's preventing WordPress from functioning properly.

The common causes are:

  • Conflicts between plugins or themes
  • Exhausted PHP memory limit
  • Corrupted WordPress core files

To solve the issue, you'll need to temporarily deactivate any recently installed plugins or themes. Access your website's directory via FTP or a file manager, navigate to the wp-content folder, and rename the plugins folder. 

Then, refresh your site, and if it loads correctly, you can systematically reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the problematic culprit. Alternatively, you can switch to a default theme to isolate any theme-related conflicts.

If you need a more detailed explanation of how to troubleshoot this issue, kindly refer to our separate article How to Fix WordPress White Screen Error.

2) Error Establishing a Database Connection

error establishing a database connection

As the name of the error indicates, this issue means that WordPress cannot access the essential information it needs from the database. Your WordPress site relies on a database to store and retrieve crucial data, so when it can't establish a connection, your site simply won't function properly.

An error in database connection can be caused by:

  • Incorrect database credentials in wp-config.php
  • Database server downtime
  • Corrupted WordPress files

To get your site back up and running, you’ll first need to verify the database credentials (name, username, password, and host) in your wp-config.php file. Make sure they're accurate and match the information provided by your web hosting provider. 

If the credentials seem correct, check if the database server itself is running smoothly. Contact your hosting provider if you suspect any server-related issues. In some cases, restoring your database from a recent backup can help resolve any corrupted file problems.

If you need more detailed guidance on resolving this specific error, check out our article 5 Simple Ways to Fix Error Establishing Database Connection for a comprehensive walkthrough.

3) Plugin Conflict Error

A plugin conflict error occurs when two or more installed plugins don’t work well with each other. It can manifest as unexpected behavior, crashes, or site malfunctions.

Aside from incompatibilities, a plugin conflict error might also be triggered by:

  • Outdated or poorly coded plugins
  • Recent plugin updates causing compatibility issues

To resolve the issue, start by deactivating all plugins on your WordPress site. Then, reactivate them one by one and test your site after each activation. This systematic approach will help you identify the problematic plugin. When your site functions correctly after activating a specific plugin, the previously activated one is likely the culprit. At this point, you can consider finding an alternative plugin or reaching out to the developer for support.

4) Database Connection Timed Out

database connection timed out

WordPress relies heavily on database queries to function properly. However, if it can’t access the database within a specified time limit, it results in an error.

Here are a few reasons why this might occur:

  • Your server is overloaded or experiencing high traffic, which can slow things down significantly
  • Your database server is taking too long to respond, causing the connection to time out
  • A firewall or security plugin on your site is blocking the connection to the database
  • A network issue which affects the connectivity between the web server and the database server

There are several ways to address the Database Connection Timed Out error. You can start by optimizing your WordPress site's performance to reduce server load. This includes minimizing plugin usage, optimizing images, and implementing caching mechanisms. 

If that doesn't work, consider upgrading your hosting plan to one with more resources, especially if you're experiencing a lot of traffic. 

And if nothing seems to work, reach out to your hosting provider. They can help ensure that your server has enough resources to handle the load and that no pesky firewall rules are blocking the connection to your database.

5) Secure Connection Error

Websites with SSL/TLS certificates convey trust and credibility to visitors by establishing secure connections. However, issues may arise if the SSL/TLS certificate becomes invalid for some reason. This prevents the browser from establishing a secure connection and causes warnings or blocking of access to the site.

The secure connection error can appear if:

  • You've got an expired or misconfigured SSL/TLS certificate
  • Your site has mixed content issues (like loading insecure content on a secure page)
  • You’ve got incorrect HTTPS settings in WordPress or server configuration

To fix the problem, start by checking the validity and configuration of your SSL/TLS certificate. It should be up-to-date and properly installed on your server. Any mixed content issues should be addressed by updating links and resources to use the HTTPS protocol instead of the insecure HTTP protocol. 

We also advise you to check your WordPress settings and server configurations - they must be correctly configured for HTTPS. If you're not sure, contact your hosting provider or SSL certificate issuer for assistance.

6) 400 Bad Request Error

400 Bad Request Error

If the server can’t understand the request sent from your browser, it results in a 400 Bad Request Error. 

There are a few common culprits that can trigger this error:

  • Malformed syntax or incorrect URL parameters
  • Browser cache or cookies causing conflicts
  • Misconfigured server settings or limitations

To troubleshoot the error, you can start by clearing your browser cache and cookies. Check the URL parameters or query strings for any errors or inconsistencies. 

And if you're using custom code or scripts, make sure they're correctly formatted and don't contain any typos. You should also check your server configuration - it should not impose any limitations or restrictions that could lead to the error.

7) "403 Forbidden" Error

"403 Forbidden" Error

The 403 Forbidden Error essentially means that the web server understands the request but refuses to fulfill it. This happens when the user or client is not authorized to access the requested resource. As a result, it blocks access to the resource for security reasons or due to a lack of proper credentials or permissions.

The error can occur due to various reasons, including:

  • Incorrect file or directory permissions
  • A security plugin or firewall blocking access
  • Misconfigured server settings

There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot this issue. First off, your goal should be to grant the server appropriate permissions and access to all required resources. So, go ahead and check your WordPress site's file and directory permissions - make sure they're configured correctly to grant the server proper access.

Next, review any security plugins or firewalls you have installed. Their overzealous settings might be inadvertently blocking legitimate access. Adjust them to be less restrictive.

Finally, check your server configuration settings. Remember, a simple misconfiguration could be the culprit behind the error. You might need to make necessary tweaks to remove any potential conflicts.

8) 404 Not Found

404 Not Found

The 404 Not Found Error occurs when the server can’t seem to find the page you’re trying to access. 

This might happen if:

  • You’ve accidentally clicked a broken or incorrect link
  • A page you’re trying to access has been moved or deleted without proper redirects
  • There are misconfigurations in your server settings

The most common fix for this error is to identify and correct any broken links on your WordPress site. You may do so manually or use plugins like Broken Link Checker to update or remove outdated links. 

And if some pages have been deleted or moved, you must set up proper redirects so that visitors are redirected to relevant content. Don’t forget to check your server configuration - it shouldn’t cause any issues with URL handling or redirects.

9) 502 Bad Gateway Error

502 Bad Gateway Error

When you visit a WordPress website, it's not just one server handling your request. Instead, multiple servers work together to deliver the website's content. However, if any of these servers fail to respond correctly, it causes the reverse proxy server to send a “502 Bad Gateway Error” message.

This often happens if:

  • The server hosting your WordPress website is overloaded
  • The server or proxy settings are misconfigured
  • There are connectivity issues with third-party services or CDN

The 502 Bad Gateway error is sometimes temporary, especially if the servers are experiencing high traffic. What you can do is simply refresh the page, or come back and try again later. 

Otherwise, you might need to take a closer look at your server and proxy settings to ensure they're properly configured. Also, check if any third-party services or content delivery networks (CDNs) you're using are working correctly, as they could be the source of the problem.

10) 503 Service Unavailable Error

503 Service Unavailable Error

The 503 Service Unavailable Error comes up when the server is unable to handle requests for a specific website.

This might happen for a few reasons:

  • The server can't keep up with all the traffic
  • The website's hosting company is performing some routine maintenance or updates on the server
  • There are configuration issues with the server settings that need to be ironed out

Sometimes, this issue is just temporary, and a quick refresh should do the trick. Otherwise, reach out to the website's hosting provider for assistance.

In the meantime, you could also look into ways to optimize your website's performance. This includes minimizing plugin usage and implementing caching mechanisms to help reduce the load on your server. And if all else fails, consider upgrading your hosting plan to handle more traffic.

11) 504 Gateway Timeout Error

504 Gateway Timeout Error

The 504 Gateway Timeout Error signals a breakdown in communication between servers. It occurs when a gateway or proxy server doesn't receive a timely response from an upstream server it's trying to connect with.

There could be a few reasons why this timeout is happening:

  • Sluggish or overloaded upstream server
  • Network connectivity issues between servers
  • Misconfigured proxy servers or load balancers

Don't just reload and hope it goes away. If the 504 persists, contact your hosting provider to investigate server performance and network issues on their end.

You should also review your own configurations. Adjust timeout thresholds if needed. Your proxy and load balancer settings shouldn’t be causing communication bottlenecks. Increase your server resources if you think traffic is outpacing capacity.

12) WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode 

504 Gateway Timeout Error

When WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode, it means that something interrupted the update process and the site couldn't finish updating properly. This leaves your site inaccessible and you locked out, unable to do much until it's fixed.

These are the common causes of the error:

  • The update is interrupted or does not complete successfully due to a server timeout, resource limits, firewall restrictions, or database problems
  • WordPress doesn't have the necessary permissions to modify files during the update
  • Incompatible plugins or themes that can disrupt the update process
  • Corrupted core files

To regain access, we highly recommend using an FTP or file manager to locate the .maintenance file in your WordPress root directory. Delete this file - it's the gatekeeper controlling maintenance mode. Refresh your site, and it should be live again.

If not, you might need to modify your server configuration and file permissions to allow WordPress updates to complete properly.

13) Failed Auto-Update

WordPress incorporates an automatic update feature to streamline updates for the core software, themes, and plugins. But every now and then, these auto-updates might get interrupted midway and can't be completed properly. This leaves your site in a limbo state, with some files updated while others remain outdated.

The common culprits are:

  • Insufficient server resources such as memory or processing power
  • Incorrect file permissions on the server which prevent WordPress from modifying files during the update
  • Issues with internet connectivity or server connectivity
  • Files required for the update are corrupted or damaged

No one wants a half-updated WordPress install - that's just asking for bugs and potential vulnerabilities. So when an auto-update fails, you'll need to manually update the affected component from the WordPress Updates section. If that fails too, disable conflicting plugins and try again.

Most importantly, make sure that you have adequate server resources and correct file permissions for WordPress to update successfully. If nothing works, consult your hosting provider to diagnose and resolve the root cause behind failed updates.

14) “The Site Ahead Contains Harmful Programs” Error

“The Site Ahead Contains Harmful Programs” Error

This error message means your browser has detected harmful content on the website. For business owners, this is an alarming issue that can severely damage your online reputation and deter visitors from accessing your site.

Here are the possible culprits:

  • Your website may have been compromised by malware or malicious software
  • Your site might contain phishing content designed to trick users into disclosing sensitive information
  • If your website is served over HTTP instead of HTTPS, modern browsers may display this warning to alert users about potential security risks
  • Outdated or compromised plugins or themes

The best course of action to resolve this issue is to thoroughly scan your site for any malicious code or suspicious files using tools like Sucuri, Jetpack, and Wordfence.

Next, make sure all your installed themes, plugins, and WordPress core files are updated to their latest versions. 

Closely inspect your server and remove any files that seem unfamiliar or out of place, as these could be remnants of a security breach. Additionally, review your access logs for signs of unauthorized activity or attempts to gain entry.

Lastly, try to implement robust security measures like using strong passwords, limiting failed login attempts, and maintaining regular backups of your site. These best practices should help you prevent future attacks and data loss.

15) Parse or Syntax Error

Parse or Syntax Error

A Parse or Syntax Error happens when WordPress can’t properly interpret or understand a line of code in one of your core files. 

This might happen when:

  • You’ve accidentally entered syntax errors or missing characters in PHP code
  • You’ve incorrectly formatted code snippets
  • There are compatibility issues between WordPress versions and plugins or themes

If you’re facing this error, you might need to review any recent code changes or additions you’ve made. The error message itself will often point you directly to the line and surrounding code causing the issue. Carefully review this area, keeping a watchful eye out for common culprits like missing semicolons, unbalanced parentheses, or other syntax mistakes that could be confusing WordPress.

In cases where you've recently modified or added new code snippets, we advise you to revert back to the previous working version temporarily. This should help isolate the problematic changes and prevent further issues until you or a developer can properly diagnose and correct the underlying errors.

16) Memory Exhausted Error

Memory Exhausted Error

Sometimes, WordPress may hit a memory ceiling and prevent scripts from executing or content from loading properly. 

There are a few reasons why this might happen:

  • Using resource-heavy plugins or themes
  • Insufficient PHP memory limit set in php.ini or wp-config.php
  • Poorly optimized code or inefficient database queries

To resolve this error, you'll need to increase the PHP memory allocation for WordPress. Start by editing the wp-config.php file to bump up the limit. You may also reach out to your hosting provider for assistance with this adjustment.

Alternatively, try deactivating any non-essential plugins or switch to a more lightweight theme temporarily to reduce memory usage. Optimize your database queries to help minimize the memory footprint.

In cases where memory issues persist, you might need to upgrade your hosting plan for more server resources and prevent these memory exhaustion errors.

17) Your Connection Is Not Private

Your Connection Is Not Private
Image source: malcare.com

Similar to the secure connection error, the “Your connection is not private” message has something to do with your SSL/TLS certificate.

It might be due to:

  • Expired or invalid SSL/TLS certificate
  • Misconfigured SSL/TLS settings on the server
  • Insecure elements loading on secure pages (mixed content)

To fix this, start by checking the validity and installation of your SSL/TLS certificate on the server. Make sure it's up-to-date and properly configured. 

Address any mixed content issues by updating links and resources to use HTTPS instead of HTTP. Check your server configuration for any SSL/TLS-related errors and correct them accordingly.

And if all else fails, don't be afraid to call your hosting provider or the SSL certificate issuer for further assistance.

18) HTTP Error When Uploading Images

HTTP Error When Uploading Images

A failed upload in WordPress can be a frustrating experience - it disrupts your workflow and delays the publishing process.

You might encounter an HTTP error when uploading images if:

  • The image file being uploaded may exceed the maximum file size limit
  • The server lacks sufficient memory or processing power to handle the image upload
  • There are network or server connectivity issues during the upload process
  • You’ve uploaded a corrupted image or used incompatible file formats

Thankfully, this issue can be quickly resolved by increasing the maximum upload size and PHP execution time limits in your server settings or php.ini file. We also recommend using image optimization plugins like ShortPixel, Imagify, and Smush to reduce file sizes and improve upload success rates. 

Lastly, corrupted or unsupported file formats can cause upload failures, even if the server settings are configured correctly. So make sure to only upload image formats supported by WordPress, such as JPG, PNG, and GIF. You might also want to check on the integrity of the image files you’re uploading to avoid any issues. 

19) “This Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties” Error

“This Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties” Error

The error message means WordPress has encountered an issue that prevents it from functioning properly.

Here are some of the common culprits:

  • Plugin or theme conflicts
  • Corrupted WordPress files or database tables
  • PHP errors or fatal errors in custom code

To get your site back on its feet, consider deactivating all plugins and then switching to a default theme temporarily. Use a file manager to rename the plugins folder in wp-content/plugins. Refresh your site to see if the error persists. If it disappears, try reactivating your plugins one by one to identify the problematic ones.

If all else fails, your last resort would be to restore your site from a recent backup. This might result in the loss of any recent content or changes. Nonetheless, it can be a necessary step to recover your site from technical difficulties when other troubleshooting methods fail.

20) Theme Compatibility Issue

Let’s face it - some themes do not work nicely with certain plugins. This can cause a lot of problems, including display errors, layout issues, or broken features on the site.

Theme compatibility issues can be caused by:

  • Outdated theme not compatible with the latest WordPress version
  • Theme conflicts with specific plugins or custom code
  • Recent customizations or modifications to the theme

To address the problem, you must update your WordPress theme and plugins to the latest version.

update WordPress theme

If the problem persists after the update, try switching to a default theme to see if the issue is related to your current theme. 

If you think these compatibility issues cannot be resolved easily, try using alternative plugins or themes that are known to work well together.

21) "Maximum Execution Time Exceeded" Error

"Maximum Execution Time Exceeded" Error

The "Maximum Execution Time Exceeded" error can occur when a PHP script exceeds the maximum allowed execution time set by the server. This issue commonly arises during resource-intensive processes such as installing or updating plugins and themes or importing large datasets into WordPress.

There are several potential causes behind this error:

  • The PHP execution time limit may be set too low by the server
  • Certain operations, like data imports or plugin installations with substantial resource requirements, might overburden the server's processing capabilities
  • Poorly optimized code within plugins, themes, or WordPress core files can result in longer execution times

There are many ways to resolve this error. First, you can try to increase the PHP execution time limit in your server configuration. Open your server's php.ini or .htaccess file and adjust the max_execution_time setting to a higher value (e.g., 300 seconds). If you're not comfortable changing the server settings, you may contact your hosting provider for assistance. 

We also suggest optimizing your WordPress site - limit your plugin usage, optimize images, and use caching mechanisms to reduce server load and execution time.

22) Broken Plugin Error

Broken Plugin Error
Image source: Ask Dave Taylor

Sometimes, even the most reliable plugin can cause error messages.

A broken plugin error happens when a plugin fails to function as intended. This could be caused by one (or a combination) of the following:

  • Corrupted plugin files due to incomplete installation or update
  • Incompatibility with other plugins or the WordPress version
  • Server or hosting environment issues affecting plugin performance

To fix a Broken Plugin Error, you’ll need to investigate which plugin is causing the issue. Try deactivating all plugins and reactivate them one by one. Once you’ve found the culprit, uninstall it and look for alternatives that offer similar functionality. 

In some cases, the issue might be more complex, and you may need to reach out to the plugin's developer for support and guidance. 

23) Theme Customization Not Saving

Have you ever encountered a situation where you’ve spent hours tweaking your theme through the Customizer, only to find that none of your changes have been saved?

Theme customization not saved can arise due to various reasons, such as:

  • The browser is serving the cache version of the page
  • Plugin conflicts interfering with the Customizer functionality
  • Insufficient permissions or restrictions on the server
  • JavaScript conflicts or errors affecting the Customizer's operation

To solve this issue, first off, try clearing your browser's cache. Simply open your browser’s developer tools and look for the option to clear browsing data or empty the cache.

If the issue persists, switch to a default WordPress theme temporarily to see if the problem is theme-related. Or try deactivating all plugins and reactivating them one by one. 

Most importantly, check for JavaScript errors using your browser's developer tools to find and resolve any conflicts.

Image source: WordPress.org

24) File Permission Issues

File permission issues occur when the server restricts access to certain files or directories. This prevents WordPress from performing operations like writing or changing files.

File permission errors in WordPress might look something like this:

"Installation failed: Could not create directory."

"Unable to write to file /wp-content/plugins/your-plugin/your-file.php"

"Unable to delete file: /wp-content/themes/your-theme/your-file.php"

Here are a few scenarios that might lead to file permission errors:

  • The permissions set on WordPress files and directories are not aligned with the required settings
  • Server configuration changes or restrictions that block WordPress from accessing necessary files
  • Security plugins or firewalls blocking file access

You can resolve this problem by setting appropriate permissions for WordPress files and directories. Generally, directories should have permissions set to 755, and files should be set to 644. 

If security plugins or firewalls are causing the issue, temporarily deactivate them to diagnose the problem. Make sure that your server configurations align with WordPress's requirements for file access.

25) Fatal Error After Plugin/Theme Activation

A fatal error is a severe issue that prevents WordPress from continuing its execution, resulting in a white screen or an error message. Although this situation may seem critical, understanding the common causes behind these errors can help you address them effectively.

Some of the primary culprits that lead to fatal errors include:

  • Plugin or theme incompatibility with your current WordPress version
  • Corrupted plugin or theme files, which can occur during the download or installation process
  • Compatibility issues between the plugins, themes, or WordPress itself and the PHP version your server is running

If you encounter a fatal error after activating a plugin or theme, immediately deactivate the problematic plugin or switch to a default WordPress theme. This action should revert your site to a functional state. 

Then, go to your WordPress dashboard and update the plugin or theme to the latest version.

update WordPress plugins

If this doesn’t solve the issue, we highly recommend you look for alternative plugins or themes that are compatible with your WordPress version.

26) Incorrect Permalink Settings

Permalinks help keep your site's URLs neat, organized, and user-friendly. However, when these permalink settings go awry, it can lead to a tangled mess of broken links, making it hard for visitors to get around your site.

Incorrect permalink settings can occur for various reasons, each with its own set of challenges to overcome. Here are some common culprits that might be causing permalink problems:

  • Unintended changes in your permalink settings can throw your entire URL structure out of whack
  • Misconfigurations in the .htaccess file
  • Plugin conflicts can affect the functionality of your permalink settings and cause unexpected URL behavior

To correct incorrect permalink settings, access your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > Permalinks. Choose the desired permalink structure or customize it according to your preferences. Then, click "Save Changes" to update the settings. 

WordPress permalink settings

You might also want to check your site's .htaccess file to ensure it's correctly configured. You can regenerate the .htaccess file by visiting the Permalinks settings page and saving changes again. 

If plugin conflicts are suspected, you can deactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

27) Missing Style.css File Error

If you’ve encountered broken or unstyled content after installing a new theme, chances are you’ve got a missing style.css file.

A missing style.css file can be caused by:

  • Uploading the wrong theme files or folders
  • Installation glitches which can lead to files going missing or getting misplaced
  • style.css file placed in the wrong folder

Fortunately, this issue can be easily resolved. Start by double-checking that you have the correct theme package and that the style.css file is present. Then, make sure you've uploaded the files to the right directory (wp-content/themes/). If you've accidentally uploaded the wrong files, simply delete the incorrect folder and try again with the proper package.

28) Locked Out of WordPress Account

Locked Out of WordPress Account

Being locked out of a WordPress account is one of the most common and frustrating situations that can happen to any site owner.

There are a few different reasons why this happens:

  • You’ve forgotten your login credentials.
  • Too many login attempts. Some WordPress security plugins limit the number of login attempts you can make in order to prevent brute-force attacks.
  • Security plugins blocking your IP address or changing the WordPress login URL

If you're locked out of your WordPress account, there are usually ways to get back in. Here’s what you can do:

  • Reset your password. Head over to your WordPress login page and look for the "Lost your password?" link. Clicking this will prompt you to enter your username or email address associated with the account. WordPress will then send you an email with a link to reset your password.
  • If you suspect a recently installed security plugin is causing the issue, you can try temporarily disabling it. You can do so through FTP or your web hosting control panel's file manager. Remember to re-enable the plugin after you've regained access and investigate its settings to avoid future lockouts.
  • If you're using a self-hosted WordPress site, your web hosting provider might be able to help you reset your password directly through the database.
  • If you have a recent backup of your WordPress site, you can restore it to a point before you were locked out. This will erase any changes made since the backup was created, so only use this option as a last resort if other methods fail. 

29) Blank Screen After Login

Have you ever logged into your WordPress admin dashboard, only to be met with a frustratingly blank screen instead of your familiar dashboard?

The blank screen after login error can be caused by several common issues:

  • Plugin or theme conflicts
  • Exhausted PHP memory limit
  • Caching plugins which can sometimes store outdated data that conflicts with your admin area
  • Coding errors in functions.php or other core files
  • Database connection issues
  • Incorrect file permissions
  • Server configuration problems

To get your dashboard back up and running, check the culprit first. Disable your plugins and themes (via FTP) by renaming the plugins and themes folders to something else temporarily. This action will deactivate all plugins and revert to a default theme. If this solves the issue, try to identify the culprit by reactivating the theme and plugins one by one. 

Alternatively, if you have access to your website's configuration files, you can try increasing the PHP memory limit.

Lastly, check your error logs. Most web hosting providers offer access to error logs that might shed light on the specific error causing the blank screen.

30) Widget Not Showing

Widgets not displaying properly on your WordPress site is a common issue that can manifest in various ways, such as missing widgets, incorrectly displayed widgets, or widgets appearing in unexpected locations. 

WordPress widget settings

These are the common culprits:

  • The specific area you want the widget to appear in might be disabled
  • You’ve accidentally placed the widget in the wrong area
  • Some less common themes might not be designed to work with widgets
  • Recently installed or updated plugins may cause conflicts that hide or interfere with the proper display of widgets
  • Wrong widget configuration
  • Outdated cached data from your browser

Here’s a recommended approach to solve this error. First, try reverting to a default WordPress theme. If the widgets display correctly with the default theme, the issue is likely related to your current theme. If that doesn’t help, try deactivating plugins one by one to identify any conflicts caused by a specific plugin.

Next, make sure the sidebar or area you want to use is enabled in your theme's customizer. Double-check that you've added the widget to the intended location. Don’t forget to review your widget configuration - any necessary settings must be filled out.

If you're using the new WordPress block editor (Gutenberg), the classic widget functionality might not be built-in by default. You can install the "Classic Widgets" plugin from the WordPress plugin directory to restore the classic widget interface.

Lastly, try clearing your cache and make sure you're logged in as an administrator.

31) Email Delivery Failure

WP Mail SMTP

An email delivery failure in WordPress means your website struggles to send emails, like password resets or updates, to your users. This can be frustrating for them since they might miss important information.

There are a few reasons why this might happen:

  • You’ve added the wrong email settings
  • Server issues that prevent emails from being sent out
  • Your website's emails might be getting blocked

Fixing email delivery failure involves checking a few things. 

First, you want to make sure the "From" email address is spelled correctly and that it uses your website's domain name. This helps ensure emails look legitimate and aren't mistaken for spam. 

There are also plugins like WP Mail SMTP that can help you test if emails are actually being sent from your website.  If you test an email and it doesn't arrive, then contact your hosting provider. They can check your server's configuration and see if anything is blocking emails from going out. 

Finally, using a reliable third-party email service like Gmail or SendGrid can be a good option. These services specialize in handling large volumes of emails and can help ensure your website's emails reach their destinations.

32) Mixed Content Error

Mixed Content Error
Image source: WebTask With Hassan

Seeing a warning about "mixed content" basically means the page is mixing secure (HTTPS) content with unsecured (HTTP) content. This can trigger security warnings in browsers and isn't ideal.

There are a few ways this can happen:

  • The settings in WordPress itself might be using HTTP instead of HTTPS
  • Hardcoded HTTP links in theme files or content
  • Images or other external resources are loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS

To fix this, you have a couple of options. There are plugins like Really Simple SSL that can help automate the process by finding and replacing insecure links with HTTPS versions throughout your site. 

If you're comfortable going in manually, you can also update the links and resources in your WordPress content and theme files to use HTTPS. The key is to make sure everything, from images to scripts and stylesheets, is loading securely, whether it's from your own site or external sources.

33) Security Plugin Conflict

Sometimes, overly aggressive security settings in your plugin can accidentally block other plugins or even your theme from working as expected.  In other situations, the issue might be a straight-up incompatibility between the security plugin and other elements on your site, or even corrupted files within the plugin itself.

Here’s what you need to do. First, try to deactivate the security plugin and see if the problem goes away. If your site behaves normally after deactivating it, then the plugin might be the culprit.  

Once you've identified it as a possible cause, you can try adjusting the plugin's settings to be less restrictive. This might involve finding a balance between security and functionality. If adjustments don't work, you might also consider switching to a different security plugin that works more smoothly with your specific setup.

There You Have It!

Errors are bound to happen when working with WordPress, but with this guide, you’re ready to tackle them head-on.

Remember, a proactive approach is key to keeping your website running smoothly. Regularly run WordPress’s built-in Site Health Check and use troubleshooting plugins to identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate into full-blown disasters.

With the right knowledge and tools, you should be able to navigate through any WordPress error confidently! But if all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek help from the experts.

By: Christy Cañete
Technical Writer

AgentWP Mascott
Try The Only AI Agent for WordPress
Use AgentWP to learn, create, maintain, secure, code... the list goes on.
Use For Free

Join The AgentWP Newsletter

Product updates, AI news, and WordPress content.

Do Anything WordPress.

Start For Free